Students from Niagara College’s School of Community Services and School of Justice and Fitness participated in an experiential learning opportunity that highlighted the importance of inclusion in sports and recreation at Variety Village’s Active Living Conference on February 14.
Hosted by Niagara College and facilitated by Variety Village – an organization that works to provide programming that empowers children with disabilities – the Active Living Conference provided NC students with the unique opportunity to learn about inclusion from individuals with lived experiences who shared their insights during a panel discussion.
Jim and Loretta Davis from the Brock Niagara Penguins share their stories with NC students.
The group of panelists included Brock Niagara Penguin athletes and coaches Jim and Loretta Davis (both NC alumni) and Niagara Children’s Centre VOLT hockey player Will and his mom Jen. Three-time Paralympian Jeff Tiessen moderated the panel discussion and shared his own insights into why inclusion in sport is important and challenged students to see beyond their own biases.
“As a society, we are programed to think in biases and stereotypes,” said Tiessen. “Today, I encourage you to see past those stereotypes by allowing people with disabilities the freedom to decide what they can and can’t do. Don’t place limits on others without first getting to know them and what they are capable of.”
Following the panel discussion, Students from NC’s Recreation Therapy, Educational Assistance and Adult Supports, and Exercise Science for Health and Performance programs were able to participate in a variety of activities including adapted curling, adapted bocce, sitting volleyball and mixed ability lacrosse.
Students try their hand at adapted curling.
“These types of experiential learning opportunities are extremely important and impactful for our students,” said Ann Marie Raos, Educational Assistance and Adult Supports Professor. “Our students need to understand the challenges faced by individuals with disabilities so they can better support them when they start their professional careers.”
In addition to learning about adaptive and inclusive sport, students were also taught to think about invisible barriers and how to support inclusion through communication.
Led by Archie Allison, Director, Access and Awareness for Variety Village, students were asked to introduce themselves to someone new without discussing physical traits or abilities. This activity highlighted the importance of building connection and community on a deeper level, enhancing the way people communicate with each other, which can help eliminate barriers.
“The real driver for this event is for our students to learn about inclusion in all its forms,” said Erin Wilkie, Recreation Therapy Professor and Program Coordinator. “Its important for our students to reshape their thoughts around what inclusion means, what it looks like and how we can accommodate healthy and inclusive experiences for everyone.”
Students from the School of Community Service who participated in the Active Living Conference will also earn their Introduction to Inclusion Level 1 and Level 2 Certifications – provincially recognized certifications from Variety Village – before the end of the Spring term which will help them as they embark on their future careers.
NC students practice their seated volleyball skills.
This was the second time Variety Village has partnered with Niagara College on an experiential learning opportunity, having facilitated a Parasport Pathways Workshop for students in the School of Community Services in 2023.
Going forward, Wilkie hopes to continue to grow the partnership to provide this unique experience to more Niagara College students.
“As our college community continues to grow, it is my hope to bring this experiential learning experience to more people so that we see can grow the inclusive and mixed ability activities on our campuses to help bring awareness to the importance of inclusion in sport and beyond,” said Wilkie.
